Located in Catherine Hill Bay South of Newcastle, Ghosties Beach and the Rainbow Cave (also called Ghosties Beach Cave) are an amazing place to visit, because of their beautiful colours and setting. We parked near Moonee Beach, as we were also visiting the Pink Cave. Parking is limited near the beach access trail, as the road is narrow. However, a small area of the one-way road is wider to allow cars to park. A sign indicates the way to the beach.
Moonee Beach
At the end of the track, you come out at Moonee Beach, an 800m long sandy beach with rock platforms at each end. At 800m long, there is plenty of room for everyone, so it’s unlikely to get crowded. Swimming is not advised, because the beach is not patrolled. While there we saw a lot of marine stingers washed up on the sand, which we were careful not to step on. Be careful, as the sting can still work even if they are dead. This is another reason to be careful swimming here.
Portuguese Man o’ War or Marine Stinger
The Track Down to Moonee Beach
Ghosties Beach
Ghosties Beach is to the south of Moonee Beach, which is an enjoyable walk, being 1600m to the cave entrance. At the south end of Moonee Beach is Flat Rocks Point, which has some interesting rock formations near the water’s edge. Walk over the sand dunes and down to Ghosties on the other side. Here you will find a lovely, secluded beach, with tree covered cliffs. One section of the beach has green algae covered boulders, which look amazing.
Next to the boulders, is a small rock outcrop has a coal seam exposed, with its black colour contrasting to the yellow sand.
Ghosties Beach
Looking towards the Rainbow Cave Entrance on Ghosties Beach
An Exposed Coal Seam on Ghosties Beach
Rocks on Ghosties Beach
The Rainbow Cave
A fissure in the cliff at the south end of the beach marks the entrance to the Rainbow Cave, making it easy to find. Only access the cave at low tide, otherwise it is too dangerous to enter. Check the tide times before you go, to make sure the tide it low.
The fissure leads into a sea cave with amazing rock colours, because of the way they have been eroded. From inside the cave, you are able to look out of the sea cave over the ocean and the nearby cliffs.
There is another sea cave further to the south but even at low tide it was too dangerous to enter.
Entrance to Rainbow Cave
Looking Out the Sea Cave Entrance
Inside the Rainbow Cave
Looking Out Of the Entrance to Rainbow Cave
What Did We Think?
This was a great place to visit, because of the amazing colours of the cave and the beautiful views along the beach. Remember to only visit at low tide.
Another great place to visit is the Pink Cave on the Moonee Beach Rock Platform
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Located in Catherine Hill Bay South of Newcastle, Moonee Beach and the Pink Cave (also called Deep Cave Bay) are an amazing place to visit, because of their beautiful colours and setting. Parking is limited near the beach access trail, as the road is narrow. However, a small area of the one-way road is wider to allow cars to park. A sign indicates the way to the beach.
The Track Down to the Beach
A sandy trail leads down to the beach, winding through bush until it reaches the beach. The beach is beautiful and quiet, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the sand and waves.
The Track Down to Moonee Beach
Sandy Track Down to Moonee Beach
Moonee Beach
At the end of the track, you come out at Moonee Beach, an 800m long sandy beach with rock platforms at each end. At 800m long, there is plenty of room for everyone, so it’s unlikely to get crowded. Swimming is not advised, because the beach is not patrolled. While there we saw a lot of marine stingers washed up on the sand, which we were careful not to step on. Be careful, as the sting can still work even if they are dead. This is another reason to be careful swimming here.
Moonee Beach
Portuguese Man o’ War or Marine Stinger
Rock Platform
The rock platform on the north end of the beach is where you will find the pink cave. Access to the cave is only safe at low tide, so make sure you check tide times before you go. Walking across the rock platform can be slippery, so have good footwear and take care.
On your 700m walk to the cave, take time to look at some of the wonderful rock pools, as some are very colourful. Also look at the algae and seaweed growing on the exposed rocks, many of them are also brightly coloured.
Rock Platform Looking at Moonee Beach
A Rock Pool on the Rock Platform
Small Bay on the Rock Platform
Small Bay on the Rock Platform
The Pink Cave
Remember to only go here at low tide, because this is the safest period, as well as ensuring you see the pink rocks. The rocks are wet and slippery, because the cave is tidal, so take care.
Inside the cave, where the waves wash in, you will see the amazing pink rocks. Fully exposed at low tide, they make a great sight.
The Pink Cave
Inside The Pink Cave
A Small Pool in the Pink Cave
The Pink Cave
Entrance to the Pink Cave
Looking out of the Cave
What Did We Think?
This was a great place to visit, because of the amazing colours of the cave. The beach is a great place to relax and enjoy you surrounding, either before or after the walk along the rock platform.
A great addition to this visit is the Ghosties Beach Cave, which is only 1600m away along the beach.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
There are some great beaches south of Newcastle as well as some interesting sights to view along the way. The beaches are nearly all fantastic and most of them are good for surfing as well as a swim or relaxing on the sand.
Lifeguards do not patrol all of these beaches, so if you plan a swim, you should go to a patrolled beach and swim between the flags. This way, if you or someone with you gets into difficulty in the water, a lifeguard is nearby.
Snapper Point is part of the New South Wales National Parks Monmouth State Conservation Area. As such you need to abide by any sign they have placed. There is a small car park when you arrive and a small fee for using the park. This was the only place we visited on the day with a parking fee.
As the name implies, it is a popular fishing spot. It is popular with rock fishers, who cast out into the ocean for the fish. From the number of memorials there, it has also proven fatal to some fishermen who have been swept from the rocks and drowned. There are now safety rings in place should anyone fall in.
We stayed clear of the lower wave washed rocks and admired the views from the top. There is a series of sea caves cut into the cliffs nearby and they are clearly visible from the lookout. The ocean views are great, but it was the sea caves that we came to see and watching the ocean waves rolling into them was amazing.
Snapper Point Sea Cave
Snapper Point
Frazer Beach
Frazer Beach is in
the Lake Munmorah State Conservation Area so is very close to Snapper Point and
adjacent to Bongon Beach. It has a camping ground right next to the beach or
you can pay for a day pass at the machines in the car park.
The beach is amazing
being wide and sandy with rock platforms on either side. Surfing is popular
here and a few groups were out in the surf when we arrived. This isn’t a
patrolled beach so swimming is not advised.
To the north of the
beach is Bongon Beach and Snapper Point while to the south is a large rock
platform, which we walked over. It has some interesting rock pools and
geological features although we found the rock pools at Bongon Beach to be
better. There were also a few rock fishermen here trying their luck.
Frazer Beach
Geological Formation South of Frazer Beach
Bongon Beach
Bongon Beach, located between Snapper Point and Frazer Beach is a very small sandy beach but has some very nice rock pools in the adjacent rock platform.
We walked to Bongon from Frazer Beach by climbing over the rock ledge dividing the two beaches. The platform near Snapper Point was very interesting as we arrived at low tide and all of the rock pools were exposed. Some were very nice with great colours and it was nice to watch the tide forcing the water into them. During the summer months these rock pools would definitely be the place to sit and relax.
Bongon Beach
Rock Pool Near Bongon Beach
Rock Pool Near Bongon Beach
Waves Filling a Rock Pool Near Bongon Beach
Catherine Hill Bay
Catherine Hill Bay is one of the best surfing spots on the coast. It has a great beach, surf house; and the town’s pub is legendary. Unfortunately for us there was a lot of road work being done in the town and the pub was full. So instead, we walked on the beach for a while and then checked out the old heritage listed coal loading pier.
Catherine Hill Bay Surf Club
Catherine Hill Bay Beach
The Beach at Catherine Hill Bay
Catherine Hill Bay Coal Loading Pier
It is a very pleasant spot and very relaxing. As we walked along the beach we were able to see people surfing and some old wooden piers sticking out of the sand, slowly being weathered away.
Coal Loading Pier at Catherine Hill Bay
Old Wooden Piers at Catherine Hill Bay
Caves Beach
Another of the great beaches south of Newcastle is Cave’s Beach named not surprisingly after the sea caves in the area. If you want to explore the cave, make sure you go at low tide. You can check this on the internet. At high tide, the cave is flooded, and access is cut off. During the week we have found it to be quiet, but on a sunny weekend, it will be crowded, with people swimming and exploring the cave.
Cave’s Beach Sea Cave at High Tide
Main Cave at Cave’s Beach
Main Cave at Cave’s Beach Looking Out
Looking out of the Main Cave
Rock Platform at Cave’s Beach
Rocks and Algae at Caves Beach
Entering the cave is not dangerous. There are no warning signs and access is free. You can walk through the cave and out the other side to a rock platform. The cliff here also has some smaller caves to look at. The platform itself is quite interesting, with rock pools with algae growing in them. Be careful of your footing as the rocks can be slippery.
There is a kiosk next to the beach selling snacks and cold drinks during the week. On the weekends, there is a bar that also opens.
A larger post on Caves Beach and surrounding walking tracks can be found here.
Swansea Heads and Reid’s Mistake
Swansea Headland looks over the entrance to the Swansea Channel and down onto Reid’s Mistake Head. There is a great view from here and if you drive to the end of the track, you will find the Maritime Rescue Station with more great views.
Below the headland, you can access the base of the cliff and the rock platform from a car park near Reid’s Reserve. If you look carefully at low tide, you will find the remains of a petrified forest that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption and buried in volcanic ash. The cliff is made of tuff, a stone made from the ash of the volcanic eruption.
Volcanic Tuff in the Cliff at at Reid’s Mistake
Reid’s Mistake Fossil Tree
Fossilised Tree Trunk
Fossilised Tree Trunk
Rock Patterns
Reid’s Mistake Rock Platform
Redhead Beach
Our last stop heading north was Redhead Beach. This is a very popular Newcastle beach and has a big car park and facilities. The most striking feature, apart from the excellent beach is the old shark spotting tower perched on rocks in front of the club house.
Redhead Beach Shark Tower
So, if you want to visit some beaches south of Newcastle and do more than just swim or sunbathe, give some of these places a try.
As you drive along the highway, see if the can spot the Big Prawn on top of the sign for a closed shopping centre. Australia loves its “Big” things.
The Big Prawn
If you want to read about Newcastle Beaches, click here
